Improvement in velocipedes



hunted $21125 patent ctilflirr.

Letters Patent No. 91,534, dated June 22, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN VELOCIPEDES.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:

- Be it known that I,L. B. FLANDERS, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented an improved Velocipede and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention consists of avelocipede in which are combined the following elements, namely, an annular wheel, bearing with its periphery on the ground a seat, or saddle, contained partly within the opening of the said annular wheel, and arranged below the centre of rotation of the same; and a driving-wheel, carried by the said seat or saddle, and arranged for acting on the said annular wheel, all substantially as described hereafter, so that the velocipede may be operated with less friction, and may be more. easily balanced than those .in common use.

My invention also consists of further improvements, hereinafter fully explained.

In order to enable others to make and use my invention, I will now proceed to describe its construction and operation, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of this specification, and in which-- Figure 1 is a side view of my improved velocipede;

Figure 2, a vertical section of the same;

Figure -3,'a transverse vertical section;

Figure 4, a section of the driver, drawn to an enlarged scale; and

Figure 5, a modification of the driver.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A is a wheel,- in which is a circular opening, B, concentric with the periphery of the said wheel, and in the said opening is an annular rib, a, on each side of which fits snugly, but so as to move freely, a; flange, b,-of the driving-wheel D, the peripheries only of the two flanges bearing against the inside of annular flanges d (I, one on one side and the other on the opposite side of the large annular wheel A.

The driving-wheel D is secured to a spindle, e, which passes through, and has its bearings in the opposite sides of a seat, or saddle, E, at one end of. the same, the opposite end of the saddle having a spring, f, carrying a flanged roller, h, adapted to the rib, or, of the main wheel.

- The seatE is made somewhat in the form of a saddle, and has on each side an elastic strap, '5, and on the end of each strap is a stirrup, j, carrying a small roller, m, the periphery of which may be of gumelastic.

The central opening of the main wheel is so large in diameter that its edge shall be free from contact with the head of the operator, who seats himself on the saddle within the cential'opening of the wheel, grasps one of the handles, a, of the spindle e in one hand, and the other handle in the other, and turns the driver D in the direction of the arrow, the consequence of which is the turning of the large annular wheel A in the same direction, and the rapid progress of the velocipede over the ground, while the saddle retains its position.

As the weight of the operator is exerted on the main wheel A, at a point below the centre of rotation of the same, there will be less diificulty in balancing y it than the ordinary velocipcdes; when, however, the large wheel departs from a perpendicular position to an extent which cannot be readily overcome by a counter lateral movement of the body of the operator, the latter can straighten one of his legs and stretch one of the strips t to such an extent that the, roller of its stirrup will be brought into contact with the ground, at the side on which the wheel leans over, the wheel being thereby restored to its vertical position.

The steering of the velocipede may be readily effected by the movement of the body, or by bringing one or other of the stirrups in contact with the ground. Owing to the roller on the stirrup, its cohtact with the groundvwill not interfere with the convenience of the operator.

The spring f has a twofold purpose; while it adds to the ease of the operator, it renders the pressure of the driving-wheel against the flanges d of the main wheel uniform.

The modified wheel shown in fig. 5 has bevelled edges, so as to fit the V-shaped groove which is formed in the edge of the annular opening, in place of the rib a.

Although I have shown the driving-wheel as arranged for being operated by hand, the ordinary treadle-devices used in connection with common velocipedes may be employed, so as to impart the desired movement to the wheel by the legs and feet of the operator.

If desired, a multiplying-system of gearing may be so adapted to the saddle and to the driver D that the latter will revolve faster than the spindle is operated by the hands or feet.

1. In combination with the said seat or saddle, I claim a spring, f, carrying a rpller, h, adapted to the edge of the opening in the annular wheel, substantially as described.

2. In combination with the said saddle, I claim the elastic straps i t, each having a stirrup carrying a roller, as set forth.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

L. B. FLANDERS.

Witnesses:

E. H. BAILEY, LOUIS Boswnnn. 

